In The News

Governor Polis Update : Congratulation Columbine Health Systems and Telehealth Updates

June 20, 2020

Quick Links to Stay Up to Date

Topline Update

We currently have 29,901 cases, 1,638 total deaths (1,417 are deaths due to COVID), and 5,308 hospitalizations out of 264,466 completed tests. Every death is a tragedy. There are families mourning across our state today and we keep them in our thoughts.  

In terms of new cases, 12 of the last 14 days have had a downward trend in the 7-day moving average of newly reported cases. And in terms of hospitalizations, 8 of the last 14 days have a downward trend in the 7-day moving average of new hospitalizations

This case data is broken down by various categories, is updated daily and can be found here.

New Allowances Going Into Effect June 18th

Colorado is the only state in the Pacific or Mountain time zones that is seeing a steady decline in case counts. We are pleased by this progress, but as said before, this doesn’t mean we can let up. Nobody wants to see those trendlines turn around. Which means we have to remain vigilant and continue to do our part to reduce the spread of COVID-19. It means we have to double down on what’s working -- distancing, wearing masks, practicing proper hygiene. And these precautions are even more important as we continue to reopen.

As we said on Monday, we will be relaxing restrictions on a few more areas of our economy and society. 

  • Residential summer camps may open with groups of 10 kids indoors, 25 kids outdoors, similar to day camps

  • Indoor events can open up to 25% capacity with limits on the maximum number of people based on the size of the space.

  • Outdoor events can open up to 50% capacity with limits on the maximum number of people based on the size of the space.

  • Bars will be able to open at 25% or up to 50 people indoors, and must follow the same guidelines as restaurants where parties are seated and intermingling of parties is discouraged. Outdoors parties must be spaced 6ft apart, up to local capacity limits.

  • Personal services will be able to expand to include things like facials, beard trimming, lip waxing, etc. where the client has to take off a mask -- these services are permitted if the worker has adequate protection.

  • Non-critical manufacturing facilities can expand in-person workforce up to 50% or 50 people per room.

We can only take these steps to reopen because Coloradans have been being smart and being diligent about protecting ourselves and others. 

Risks / Benefits

And as we continue to reopen, more of the burden is placed on the individual to do the right thing. It means we have to use common sense and consider the level of risk when participating in certain activities. We need to be honest with ourselves:

  • How many other people will be participating in this activity?

  • Is the activity outside?

  • Can we put distance between myself and others?

  • How long will the activity take?

  • Do we feel 100% healthy?

  • How will we get there? Biking, walking, driving in a car are safer than public transportation.

  • Do we live with someone who is more vulnerable to COVID-19, and would be at high risk if we happened to bring the virus home?

  • And what is the value of this activity to me versus the risk we’re taking?

Things like camping, hiking, biking, outdoor exercise and activities, shopping outdoors at a farmer’s market -- these are fairly low risk activities. Things like dining out, playing on the playground, shopping indoors, visiting a swimming pool -- these carry a medium risk. And then activities like airline travel, concerts, attending worship services in-person, personal services, bars, gyms, large gatherings -- these carry a higher risk.

So please exercise personal responsibility, use common sense, and err on the side of caution. We encourage you to visit covid19.colorado.gov/risks-benefits for more information about how we can continue to keep ourselves and each other safe and healthy.

Telehealth Update

We’re all adapting to this new reality where more and more things are done online in order to reduce in-person interactions. One of the most important developments to emerge is the use of telehealth services.

We’ve taken steps to make it easier for Coloradans to receive health care from the comfort and safety of their own home using a mobile phone, computer, or home phone.

At the beginning of this pandemic, we took executive action to ensure that insurers, including Indian Health Services and Medicaid, continue to reimburse providers for telehealth services. And we are thrilled that the legislature passed legislation to protect that access. 

We want to praise our Office of E-Health Innovation for making Colorado a leader in telehealth before this pandemic, and for going above and beyond in recent months to expand telehealth options for residents.

The Governor is proud to announce a centralized website -- healthathome.colorado.gov/ -- which is a one-stop-shop for information about telehealth.

The Health at Home Colorado website, available in English and Spanish, is intended to encourage visitors to engage in virtual visits with their provider, through their insurance, or find free resources for accessing virtual care.

In addition, we’ve also created a toolkit with campaign materials that can be used by community partners to increase the awareness of virtual care. 

This is incredibly important for Coloradans in rural and mountain communities so they can access care without traveling long distances, and a lifeline for folks served by federally qualified health centers. The more people use telehealth, the more interactions we can avoid, and the more we can do to suppress COVID-19.

Columbine Health Systems

We also want to take a moment to praise everyone who has been involved with the effort to respond to outbreaks in long-term care facilities -- CO National Guard, CDPHE, Colorado State University, and other partners.

We know that these facilities are particularly vulnerable, given the age of the residents, the likelihood of underlying health conditions, and close proximity between residents. So we are glad to report that Columbine Health Systems -- which had the first long-term care facility to experience an outbreak in Colorado -- now has zero positive tests and zero residents with symptoms.

Again -- none of this means we are out of the woods. Quite the opposite -- it means that the extraordinary steps we are taking to protect older Coloradans and those with underlying health conditions -- are working. And we need to keep it up!

Help inform the state’s COVID-19 communications

The State of Colorado is conducting public opinion research to inform COVID-19-related education and communications. This research includes a special focus on traditionally marginalized communities. You can help us make sure all voices are heard by sharing a short online survey. The survey is available in English and Spanish and takes 5-10 minutes to complete. Those who complete the survey can enter to win one of four $250 gift cards. The survey will close at midnight on Friday, June 26. 

If you have any questions, please contact CDPHE representatives Alison Reidmohr at [email protected] or Jessica Bralish at [email protected]. Thank you for your help!

Supreme Court Decision on DACA

This morning, the Supreme Court delivered a landmark ruling protecting hundreds of thousands of DREAMers from deportation. We are thrilled that Colorado’s DREAMers -- our friends, our neighbors, our fellow Americans -- will no longer be forced to live in fear. 

And while we are glad the court made the right decision, we still need Congress to take action and create a pathway to citizenship. Here in Colorado, we know our immigrants make our state, and our country, a stronger and a better place to live.

And now that the Supreme Court has decided that DREAMers are here to stay, it’s time for the federal government to come back to the table and work together on a bipartisan comprehensive immigration reform bill.
 

2020 CNA Call for Board Nominations- Deadline for Nominations August 3, 2020 

Posted: June 21, 2020
Notice of Virtual Annual Meeting October 17, 2020

“Voluntary action on behalf of the common good is the inherited legacy of every American....”                         

Katherine Tyler Scott, in Creating Caring & Capable Boards

Serving as a volunteer member of the Colorado Nurses Association Board of Directors is an important and time-consuming effort of the individuals who choose to run for these membership representative positions.  Elections are held annually for a two-year term and rotate in such a manner that one-half of the Board of Directors rotate every year, unless one chooses to run for two consecutive terms.  The President is a three-year term, the first year serving as a President-Elect to support leadership succession of the Association.  Please review the CNA bylaws for more specific information.

Your volunteer role as a member of the CNA Board has two primary aspects: fiduciary and supportive.  Your fiduciary obligation is to balance the financial sustainability of the association and maximize member services.  Your supportive role is to help make CNA work for our members and to assist in achieving our mission and strategic plan.

The positions open for election at the 2020 Annual Membership Assembly (Meeting) include:

  • President-Elect (3 year term)
  • Vice President (2 year term)
  • Treasurer (2 year term)
  • Region Director 2  (DNA 3, 12, 16, 20, 23) (2 year term)
  • Region Director 4 (DNA 6) (2 year term)
  • Region Director 6 (DNA 5) (2 year term)
  • Region Director SIG Representative (2 year term)
  • Nominating Committee (2 Candidates)

To Review Bylaws, Please Click Here.

To Submit Your Bio and Consent to Serve Click Here
 

ANA President Statement On Racist Violence

June 10, 2020

I wanted to make sure that you saw the statement I made today condemning racist violence against black communities. I hope you will join me in my call to action.

"As a nation, we have witnessed yet again an act of incomprehensible racism and police brutality, leading to the death of an unarmed black man, George Floyd. This follows other recent unjustified killings of black men and women, such as Ahmaud Arbery and Breonna Taylor to name a few.  

Protests have erupted in cities across the country and the world in response to a persistent pattern of racism in our society that creates an environment where such killings occur. Justice is slow and actions to ensure real change are lacking.

As a black man and registered nurse, I am appalled by senseless acts of violence, injustice, and systemic racism and discrimination. Even I have not been exempt from negative experiences with racism and discrimination. The Code of Ethics obligates nurses to be allies and to advocate and speak up against racism, discrimination and injustice. This is non-negotiable.

Racism is a longstanding public health crisis that impacts both mental and physical health. The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated this crisis and added to the stress in the black community, which is experiencing higher rates of infection and deaths.

At this critical time in our nation, nurses have a responsibility to use our voices to call for change. To remain silent is to be complicit. I call on you to educate yourself and then use your trusted voice and influence to educate others about the systemic injustices that have caused the riots and protests being covered in the news. The pursuit of justice requires us all to listen and engage in dialogue with others. Leaders must come together at the local, state, and national level and commit to sustainable efforts to address racism and discrimination, police brutality, and basic human rights. We must hold ourselves and our leaders accountable to committing to reforms and action. 

I have a deeper moral vision for society, one in which we have a true awareness about the inequities in our country which remain the most important moral challenge of the 21st century. This pivotal moment calls for each of us to ask ourselves which side of history we want to be on and the legacy we will pass on to future generations."

This statement is also available here. 
Sincerely, 
Signature_EGrant(2)_635900.jpg
Ernest J. Grant, PhD, RN, FAAN
ANA President
 

COVID-19 Self Care Videos By Members

Posted: June 9, 2020

Thank you to these SIG 31 members who have provided self care short videos to help nurses cope with the challenges of today. These are for our fellow nurses working the front line of the COVID pandemic. The videos are all about self care, nurse to nurse.

These videos may also be accessed on the website here.
 

Announcing the Well-Being Initiative: Virtual Tools to Support Nurses' Mental Health

June 8, 2020

Every day, you and your colleagues show up on the frontlines to care for others under unprecedented conditions. The American Nurses Foundation recognizes the extraordinary stresses you face. To help, we've partnered with the nation's leading nursing organizations to develop comprehensive, online resources to support your mental health and well-being

 

Virtual Support System

  • Nurses Together, peer-to-peer phone calls scheduled throughout the 24 hour day and offered 7 days a week to provide you with a safe space to openly share experiences and best practices with your colleagues. Learn more and register here.
  • The Happy app "warm line" offering round-the-clock access to a trained Support Giver. Learn how to access the app here.
  • Narrative Expressive Writing, process your experiences related to COVID-19 in writing with this five-week guided narrative writing program. You will be invited to respond anonymously to weekly prompts which will be reviewed and responded to by trained professionals. Capacity in this pilot initiative is limited, sign up to participate here. 

Digital Toolkit

The Moodfit app that enables you to set your own goals using best-practice methods such as mindfulness meditation, breathing exercises, lifestyle tracking (sleeping and nutrition) and set up custom reminders at times that are appropriate for you. Access the app and user code here. 

Join nurses around the country taking part in The Well-Being Initiative. Created in partnership with the American Nurses Association, the American Psychiatric Nurses Association, the Emergency Nurses Association, and the American Association of Critical-Care Nurses.
 
More Articles...
<< first < Prev 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 Next > last >>

Page 56 of 122